Potential Detroit Lions Defensive Personnel Changes Explored
The Detroit Lions' defense has taken the spotlight away from the offense.
As a result, the Lions are 1-3, with all three losses coming by four points or less.
Detroit head coach Dan Campbell hinted early in the week that changes are coming to a defense that has been among the league’s worst through the first quarter of the season.
“I think we’ve got to calm some things down,” Campbell told Lions flagship radio station 97.1 The Ticket Tuesday. “I think we’ve got to go back to the basics, and I think we’ve got to simplify. And then, we’ve got to shake our roster up a little bit. I’m not gonna tell you who that’s gonna be, but we’re talking about, right now, some trust issues. Man, are you gonna be where you’re supposed to be? Can I trust you that you’re gonna be there and make this call? A little trust, a little FBI and a little bit of dog. I think we’re gonna inject some of that into our defense, and that can go a long way for us.”
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has dealt with the majority of the scrutiny, as his unit failed to force a Seattle offense averaging just 16 points a game to punt during Sunday’s loss.
Despite the struggles on that respective side of the ball, Campbell’s faith in his defensive coordinator has not wavered.
“I believe that Aaron Glenn is the right man for the job, and he gives us our best hope, our best option to run this defense,” Campbell said Monday. “I just do.”
Here are four changes that the Lions can make defensively, which will help the unit heading into a Week 5 matchup with the New England Patriots.
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Get Demetrius Taylor involved, sit Michael Brockers
Taylor was among the stars of the preseason, excelling in attacking the opposing offense and making a living in the backfield. However, he hasn’t played in any of Detroit’s first four contests.
The undrafted rookie out of Appalachian State was good enough to crack Detroit’s 53-man roster, and with the defense struggling mightily against the run, he deserves some snaps.
These snaps afforded to the former Mountaineer could come at the expense of veteran Michael Brockers, who has totaled just three tackles through four games. The once prominent run-stopper has struggled to make a dent in opposing run games.
While Brockers should still be a part of the defense, Taylor could give Detroit some added ability against the run. Taylor is more compact and lived in the offense’s backfield during training camp, which could play to the Lions’ advantage.
Substitute Derrick Barnes for Alex Anzalone
Rookie Malcolm Rodriguez has been the lone bright spot for Detroit’s linebacking corps. He’s started all four games next to Alex Anzalone, who has struggled in his second year as a member of the Lions.
Barnes, meanwhile, went two games without a single snap at linebacker, before launching into action against the Seahawks. Though his numbers weren’t stellar, he did manage two tackles in 23 defensive snaps.
The linebackers, as a whole, have been bad against the pass. This has left Detroit’s defense vulnerable to crossing routes and to man-to-man coverage against tight ends. Substituting Barnes would give opponents a different look.
Detroit general manager Brad Holmes drafted Barnes in the fourth round of the 2021 draft, with the intention of developing him into a starter. He didn’t earn the job out of training camp, but it’s time for an extended look as Detroit searches for answers at the second level.
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Ifeatu Melifonwu or Will Harris need more reps at corner
Amani Oruwariye’s struggles have been exploited by opposing quarterbacks. He was flagged six times in a Week 3 loss to Minnesota, and was Detroit’s worst-rated defender, per Pro Football Focus, in Week 4.
In a season that started with plenty of optimism given his performance last year, Oruwariye has struggled to hold his own through Detroit’s start to the 2022 season. The Lions want to play a plethora of man coverage, an area in which the Penn State product has struggled.
Because of that, it’s time for a change.
Will Harris converted from safety, out of necessity, at the end of the 2021 season, and his performance was good enough to stick. He’s likely next in line, with Jeff Okudah holding down the other boundary and Mike Hughes in the slot.
Though Harris is likely next in line, should the staff elect to move on from Oruwariye, Ifeatu Melifonwu is also worth a look. Drafted as a cornerback out of Syracuse in 2021, he moved to safety ahead of this season. With Detroit’s struggles at his original position, Glenn may consider sliding the second-year player back to his original home.
It’s worth noting that Jerry Jacobs is nearing a return from injured reserve, though he likely won’t play until after the bye week. He’ll factor into this conversation, starting in Week 7, when the Lions travel to Dallas.
Start JuJu Hughes at safety next to DeShon Elliott
Detroit’s defense was dealt a massive blow when starting safety Tracy Walker III was lost for the season with a torn Achilles in Week 3. It was rookie Kerby Joseph who took his place in Week 4.
Hughes, meanwhile, did not play in Week 4. Joseph struggled in his first start, allowing a pair of touchdowns on missed coverages.
A three-year veteran, Hughes is more apt to contribute in the near future, thanks to his experience. Additionally, he’s performed well in spot duty this year. When Walker was ejected in Week 1 and injured in Week 3, it was Hughes who replaced him both times.
Joseph should still see time in the secondary, as it’s important to allow him to grow on the field. However, the more experienced Hughes should be next to Elliott in key situations.
